Division II HBCU football has a full Saturday on tap, with 11 games across the CIAA and SIAC and five Homecomings: Bowie State, Edward Waters, Fort Valley State, Lincoln (Pa.) and Virginia Union.

The CIAA race runs through three unbeaten teams. Virginia State (6-0 CIAA) is idle, while Virginia Union (5-0) hosts Shaw at Homecoming and Johnson C. Smith (5-0) visits Bowie State for the Bulldogs’ 91st Homecoming. In the SIAC, Kentucky State leads at 5-1, and Benedict, Edward Waters and Central State are all 4-1. Benedict and Central State both go on the road against 3-2 teams.

Three SIAC Teams Top Super Region 2 in Division II’s New NCAA Power Index; below are the NPI rankings through Oct. 17. Here is a look at every game.

Virginia State and Morehouse are idle this week.

Bowie State’s 91st Homecoming: Johnson C. Smith at Bowie State

Johnson C. Smith (6-1, 5-0 CIAA) brings one of Division II’s best defenses to Bowie. The Golden Bulls allow 10.1 points and 220.4 yards a game, both second in the nation. Their only loss came in the season opener at Benedict, and they have won six straight since. In five CIAA games, they have outscored opponents 191-32.

Running back Fabian Duncan leads the offense. The junior has run for 1,075 yards and nine touchdowns, the third-most rushing yards in Division II, and he also ranks third nationally with 179.3 all-purpose yards a game. Damien Mazil has thrown 12 touchdown passes against two interceptions, and the Golden Bulls are 36th in the NPI.

The Golden Bulls’ offensive line has allowed only three sacks all season. On the other side of the ball, opponents convert just 30.9 percent of their third downs against Johnson C. Smith, 20th best in Division II. D’Andre Martin leads the front with 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. A win would set up a meeting of unbeaten CIAA teams when Virginia State visits Charlotte on Oct. 31.

Bowie State (3-4, 3-2 CIAA) is coming off a 48-7 home loss to Virginia Union. The Bulldogs gain 283.3 yards a game and allow 397.1, and their passing game has produced just 105.1 yards a game. Maximus Jones leads the team with 450 rushing yards, and defensive back Chase Francis has 8.5 tackles for loss. Finishing drives has been a problem, as the Bulldogs have scored on just 47.8 percent of their red zone trips, 154th nationally. They do play clean football, averaging only 46.4 penalty yards a game, 21st in Division II.

Homecoming in Richmond: Shaw at Virginia Union

Virginia Union (6-1, 5-0 CIAA) celebrates Homecoming and Senior Day at Hovey Field against Shaw. The Panthers have won six straight since a season-opening loss at Lenoir-Rhyne, and last week they won 48-7 at Bowie State.

The Panthers have won with defense. Virginia Union allows 14.0 points a game, sixth in Division II, and 255.7 yards, 10th. The Panthers average four sacks a game, second in the nation, and linebacker Christian Aiken has seven sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Elijah Candia adds five sacks. On offense, the Panthers run for 203.3 yards a game, with Travon Tensley and Ramon Brown splitting the load, and RJ Rosales has thrown eight touchdowns against one interception.

The one weakness is turnovers. Virginia Union has forced just two all season and is minus six in turnover margin. It has made up for that by getting off the field on third down, where opponents convert only 28.9 percent (15th nationally), and by averaging 26.2 yards on kickoff returns (10th). After Saturday, the Panthers play at Lincoln on Friday night, Oct. 30, and visit Virginia State on Nov. 7.

Shaw (4-4, 2-4 CIAA) has lost three straight, including a 76-13 loss to Virginia State last week. The Bears gain 373.5 yards a game but allow 420.9. Trey Thorpe has run for 716 yards and six touchdowns, and Alexander Marsh has thrown for 1,377 yards and 11 touchdowns. Shaw is plus four in turnover margin, but its line has given up 27 sacks.

SIAC Showdown on ESPN+: Benedict at Albany State

Benedict (6-1, 4-1 SIAC) visits Albany State (3-4, 3-2 SIAC) at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+, coming off a 45-24 win over Edward Waters. The Tigers are 16th in the NPI and tied for second in the SIAC behind Kentucky State.

The key matchup is Benedict’s running game against Albany State’s run defense. Benedict leads the SIAC in rushing at 210.1 yards a game, and Albany State allows just 87.6 on the ground, 10th in Division II. The Golden Rams allow 284.7 total yards a game, 23rd nationally, while Benedict gains 409.1.

Albany State’s offense has struggled. The Golden Rams average 311.9 yards a game and managed only 14 points in last week’s 17-14 loss at Tuskegee. Jeffery Davis has thrown for 1,050 yards and seven touchdowns without an interception. For Benedict, David Smith leads the rushers with 547 yards, Christopher Johnson has six rushing touchdowns, and Jett Peddy has thrown for 1,263 yards.

Albany State is also strong on third down, allowing opponents to convert just 24.1 percent of their third downs, fifth in Division II, and Derrick Drayton has 7.5 tackles for loss. Benedict is plus six in turnover margin with 16 takeaways, and it averages 26.2 yards on kickoff returns, ninth nationally. Saturday is Albany State’s Senior Day, and the Golden Rams close with a trip to Clark Atlanta and a meeting with Fort Valley State in the Fountain City Classic.

Contenders Collide in Fairfield: Central State at Miles

Central State (4-3, 4-1 SIAC) visits Miles (3-4, 3-2 SIAC) at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+, the SIAC’s toughest finish. After Saturday, the Marauders host Edward Waters and close the regular season at Benedict.

Central State throws for 300.3 yards a game, 10th in Division II, and gains 429.3 yards a game overall, but it also allows 428.3, including 213.9 on the ground. Jackson Wasik ranks ninth nationally in passing yards, and Avantae Burt leads the receivers with 511 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Marauders make the most of their possessions. They convert 52.7 percent of their third downs, seventh in Division II, have lost just six turnovers and average 28.0 yards on kickoff returns, fourth nationally. They don’t have the ball long: Central State averages 24 minutes of possession per game, 159th of 160 teams. Its SIAC wins include a 45-32 victory over Fort Valley State and a 27-19 Homecoming win over Tuskegee.

Miles plays a slower game. The Golden Bears gain 284.1 yards a game and allow 333.6, including 130.4 rushing, and they hold the ball for 32 minutes a game, 23rd nationally. Third downs have been a problem, with Miles converting just 28.9 percent. Brinley Vandiver has thrown for 848 yards, and Vintavious Johnson and Antonio White Jr. each have two interceptions. Miles has a quick turnaround, hosting Fort Valley State on Thursday, Oct. 29.

Homecoming in Jacksonville: Clark Atlanta at Edward Waters

Edward Waters (5-2, 4-1 SIAC) celebrates Homecoming at Nathaniel Glover Community Field and Stadium, a week after the 45-24 loss at Benedict. The Tigers are 12th in the NPI, the highest of any HBCU in either conference.

Edward Waters throws for 330.9 yards a game, fifth in Division II, and gains 441.3 yards a game overall, but it allows 387.9 yards and 38.4 points. Izaiah Jean-Baptiste has 682 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, and linebacker Trevon French averages 11.3 tackles a game, fifth in the nation. Amari Birth has broken up 10 passes.

Penalties and red zone defense have been the Tigers’ biggest problems. Edward Waters gives up 102.7 penalty yards per game, 158th of 160 teams, and opponents have scored on 90.9 percent of their red-zone trips. After Homecoming, the Tigers visit Central State on Oct. 31 and host Allen on Nov. 7.

Clark Atlanta (2-5, 2-3 SIAC) won its Homecoming game 17-14 over Allen last week but has struggled to move the ball, gaining 255.4 yards and scoring 12.1 points a game. The Panthers allow 405.7 yards per game, including 202.7 rushing yards. The Panthers have forced just two turnovers all season. Xzavier Jackson has thrown for 655 yards, and linebacker Eric Searcy averages nine tackles a game.

Kentucky State Hosts Savannah State

SIAC leader Kentucky State (6-2, 5-1 SIAC) has won two straight and hosts Savannah State (1-6, 1-5 SIAC) in Frankfort. The Thorobreds are 13th in the NPI. Saturday marks the first of their final two regular-season games, and neither opponent is in the SIAC title race.

Kentucky State gains 418.5 yards a game, with 280.4 coming through the air, and allows 333.6. Juan Gainous has thrown for 1,526 yards and 12 touchdowns, with one interception, and Darius Cyprian has 766 receiving yards, the seventh most in Division II.

The defense leads the SIAC with 25 sacks, averaging 3.1 a game, ranking 10th in Division II, and Carlos Bazert Jr. has six of them. Kendrick Curry has 9.5 tackles for loss, and Roman Hernandez has three interceptions. The Thorobreds close the regular season at home against Morehouse on Nov. 7.

Savannah State averages 240.1 yards per game and allows 388.6 yards and 43.1 points. Defensive lineman Adonis Brazil is a bright spot, with six sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The Tigers score on 90.5 percent of their red zone trips, 21st nationally, and Rashawn Truell has thrown nine touchdown passes. Turnovers have hurt them, and Savannah State is minus eight in turnover margin. The Tigers lost 22-9 to Fort Valley State last week.

Senior Day in Columbia: Tuskegee at Allen

Tuskegee (3-4, 3-2 SIAC) visits Allen (2-5, 1-4 SIAC) for the Yellow Jackets’ Senior Day. The Golden Tigers beat Albany State 17-14 last week, handing Benedict its only loss of the season, 20-17, on Sept. 24.

Tuskegee gains 322.0 yards a game and allows 413.3, including 265.6 through the air. It is one of the least-penalized teams in Division II, with 42.1 penalty yards per game, but it is minus six in turnover margin and allows opponents to convert 54.9 percent of their third downs. Bryson McGrew has thrown for 991 yards and seven touchdowns, Ja’Khael Rowser has run for 472 yards, and Masiah Wells leads the defense with eight tackles for loss.

Allen has lost four straight, the last a 17-14 loss at Clark Atlanta. The Yellow Jackets gain 366.6 yards a game and allow 367.7. Javis Floyd has run for 723 yards, 13th in Division II, and has nine touchdowns, while Brent Upshaw Jr. has thrown for 1,502 yards behind a line that has allowed only six sacks.

On defense, Jayshawn Smalls has 10 tackles for loss, Ja’Darius Cherry has four sacks, and Aeron Gresham has defended eight passes. Allen hosts Morehouse for its own Homecoming next week.

Homecoming in Fort Valley: Lane at Fort Valley State

Fort Valley State (2-4, 1-3 SIAC) celebrates Homecoming and Senior Day against Lane (0-8, 0-6 SIAC). It is Jeremy C. Patterson’s first game as Lane’s interim head coach after Stanley Conner stepped down on Tuesday.

Fort Valley State won 22-9 at Savannah State last week. The Wildcats gain 353.8 yards per game, 221.2 of them through the air, and Don Hudson has thrown for 1,128 yards and eight touchdowns. J.T. Pendleton leads the receivers with 34 catches for 429 yards.

Fort Valley State lost two games by a single point: 24-23 to Tuskegee in the Port City Classic and 34-33 in overtime to Benedict. After Saturday, the Wildcats have a short week before a Thursday night game at Miles on Oct. 29.

Lane gains 194.2 yards and scores 5.5 points per game, while allowing 349.2 yards per game. The Dragons have converted 21.6 percent of their third downs and scored on 45.5 percent of their red zone trips, both near the bottom of Division II, and they have allowed 25 sacks. Frederick Lewis Jr. has three interceptions.

Fayetteville State at Bluefield State

Fayetteville State (4-3, 3-2 CIAA) visits Bluefield State at 2 p.m. ET on the CIAA Sports Network, a week after beating Elizabeth City State 43-7.

The Broncos have one of Division II’s better defenses, allowing 17.1 points and 273.0 yards a game. Opponents convert 31.2 percent of their third downs, and the pass defense allows 147.7 yards a game, 12th nationally. Safety Zyking Patillo leads the nation with six interceptions, Osirus Rhodes has five sacks, and Jatavien Taylor has 8.5 tackles for loss.

The offense has held the Broncos back. Fayetteville State gains 273.0 yards a game and converts just 26.2 percent of its third downs. Two of its three losses came against the CIAA’s unbeaten teams, 20-14 at Johnson C. Smith and 14-0 to Virginia Union. Jamir Dismukes has thrown for 1,151 yards and seven touchdowns.

Bluefield State (0-7, 0-5 CIAA) gains 233.6 yards a game and allows 382.1, including 227.6 on the run, and has allowed 33 sacks. Its pass defense has held up, allowing 154.6 yards a game, 17th nationally. It lost 43-14 at Winston-Salem State last week.

Elizabeth City State at Livingstone

Livingstone (2-5, 2-4 CIAA) returns from a bye to host Elizabeth City State (1-6, 1-4 CIAA) at 2 p.m. ET on the CIAA Sports Network. The Blue Bears’ last game was a 59-7 loss at Virginia State on Oct. 10, and their two wins came against Bluefield State and Winston-Salem State.

Livingstone gains 311.9 yards a game but allows 442.7, including 265.6 through the air. The pass rush has been a strength, with 20 sacks. Dontavius Phillips has 4.5, and Phillips and Travis Burton each have seven tackles for loss. Brandon Edinburgh Jr. has thrown for 1,048 yards and six touchdowns.

Elizabeth City State gains 213.3 yards a game and allows 335.9. Its defense also gets into the backfield, with 18 sacks and 7.7 tackles for loss a game. Ajani Farmer has seven tackles for loss. Linebacker John Earley averages eight tackles a game. The Vikings’ lone win was a 35-21 victory over Lincoln on Oct. 10, and they lost 43-7 at Fayetteville State last week.

Homecoming in Lincoln: Winston-Salem State at Lincoln (Pa.)

Lincoln (1-6, 1-4 CIAA) celebrates Homecoming against Winston-Salem State (1-6, 1-4 CIAA), which earned its first win of the season last week, 43-14 over Bluefield State.

Lincoln receiver Kyrie Tyson has 55 catches for 786 yards, fifth in Division II, and linebacker Charles Thompson has 10 tackles for loss and 8.7 tackles a game. Jayden Triplett and Mikal Davis have split time at quarterback, combining for nine touchdown passes.

The Lions gain 301.6 yards a game and allow 381.3. They are plus four in turnover margin, and their red zone defense ranks sixth in Division II, allowing scores on 60 percent of opponents’ trips. Lincoln’s only win was a 20-7 victory over Bluefield State, and it lost 40-6 at Johnson C. Smith last week.

Winston-Salem State gains 219.4 yards a game and allows 380.4, but its pass defense allows just 161.3 yards a game. Jayvion Danzy has run for 538 yards, and Zymiere Dempsey-Freeman has two interceptions. Ball security has been the Rams’ biggest problem, with 17 turnovers lost.